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Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Who Qualifies and How to Apply in 2026

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is the Express Entry program for skilled workers who already have Canadian work experience. You need at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of paid skilled work in Canada in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 jobs, in the 3 years before you apply, gained while you were authorised to work. You need CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs, or CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3. There is no education requirement and no proof of funds, and you must plan to live outside Quebec.

Last updated: 12 November 2026 · Written by the PrepEve team

Work experience

1 year (1,560 hours) of skilled work in Canada in the last 3 years

Job level

TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3

Language

CLB 7 (TEER 0 or 1) or CLB 5 (TEER 2 or 3) in all four skills

Education

Not required, but it adds CRS points

Proof of funds

Not required

Province

You must plan to live outside Quebec

What work experience counts?

• Skilled: in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation under the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
• In Canada and paid: wages or commission. Volunteer work and unpaid internships do not count.
• Authorised: gained while you had temporary resident status with permission to work.
• Recent: within the 3 years before you apply.
• Enough hours: 1,560 hours in total, which is 12 months at 30 hours a week. Part-time work counts if it adds up to the same hours, and you can combine jobs. Hours above 30 a week are not counted.

What does not count: self-employment (except some physicians), and work done while you were a full-time student, including co-op work terms. If you studied in Canada, see study in Canada to PR.

Language levels for CEC

Accepted tests are CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core for English, and TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French. Results must be less than 2 years old when you apply. The minimum only gets you into the pool; your CRS score decides when you are invited. See CLB 7 IELTS score and the IELTS to CLB calculator.

How CRS points work for CEC candidates

Your Canadian work experience earns CRS points: 40 for 1 year, rising to 80 for 5 years or more for a single applicant. From 3 November 2026, if at least 12 months of that experience were in an eligible high-wage occupation, you get a bonus of 70, 40 or 20 points, and IRCC counts the higher of your work experience points and your job offer points, up to 150. See the November 2026 CRS changes.

Language is still the biggest lever you control. Moving from CLB 7 to CLB 9 in all four skills adds 56 points for a single applicant, and strong French adds more. Many people working in Canada take CELPIP; see CELPIP coaching. Check recent cut-offs on Express Entry draws 2026.

How to apply through CEC

1. Check your hours and NOC for every job you will claim.
2. Take an approved language test and get your result.
3. Create your Express Entry profile. If you meet the CEC rules, you enter the pool.
4. Wait for an invitation in a round that includes CEC candidates.
5. Apply within 60 days of the invitation. See what to do after an ITA.

Keep your temporary status valid while you wait. Extending a work permit is a separate application from PR, so plan it early if your permit ends soon.

What we can and cannot promise

We can make sure your profile and application are complete, accurate and filed on time. We cannot promise an invitation or an approval: IRCC makes every decision, and cut-off scores change from round to round. Be wary of anyone who guarantees PR.

Official sources

• Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class (IRCC)
• How much work experience do I need for the Canadian Experience Class? (IRCC)
• Express Entry: language test results (IRCC)
• 2026 changes to points for Canadian work experience and job offers (IRCC)

Immigration rules change. Check the official pages above before you apply.

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Frequently asked questions